Missouri news groups sue Highway Patrol over crash records

Several Missouri news organizations and journalism associations have filed a lawsuit against the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cole County Circuit Court. The plaintiffs, including the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, allege the agency is violating the state’s Sunshine Law by withholding names and specific details from traffic and boating crash reports.

The lawsuit claims that the Highway Patrol began redacting information from its online database and public records responses in 2024, reversing a long-standing practice that had been in place since the late 1990s. The plaintiffs argue that these redactions, which include the identities of individuals involved in fatal crashes, hinder the ability of journalists to verify information, investigate public safety concerns, and report on community incidents.